Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-04-02

dock said to Turner: ''Ering him back TO me
safe" On returning they drove TO Turner's
home, on the West Side, and Hadiock re-.
turned to the livery stable. Before his return
Bismarck ana Granda were at The
corner Of Fourth and Pearl where
they met Trieher and others, Triebcr told
them 10 60 to the corner OF Wafer aud Fourth
and watch the return OF the buggy and minis
ter. When the buggy was yet absent there
appeared near this same corner the men
whose names are on the indictment. Some Of
them entered s close hack and were driven TO
Greenville where they made inquiries for
Haddock. Then they returned TO the city.
There were other parties Oh the street making
inquiries for Haddock.
Taylor then reciied the instance Of inter.
cepting a hack on Fourth near Pearl street,
with which the public Is familiar.
Soon Haddock comes from the West Side
on Pearl, turns west on Fourth, then to Water
and to Merrill's stable. The return Of the
buggy was announced by special messengers.
Several men then came out OF Junk's, John
Arensdorf being one OF the numhc.. Arens-
dorf: Let's 20 and see what there is." They
vent in irregular order, and near the corner
Of Water and Fourth assembled the ten men
whose names are In the indictment. Hsddock
left the stable and started for the Columbia
house corner. The two hirelings were
there, Granda standing near the fence,
but by reason Of drinks taken I,hey
seemed incompetent TO do the work
promised. AS Haddock advanced, the
ten defendants were there. John Arcnsdorf
spoke, you drunken Duichmen, we do not
need YOU" Haddock seemed to see them
hut did not hesitate. He marched scro>s to
Water street. out from the ct0wd marched
John Arensdorf, and at his side was Henry
Peters, and just as they were about To pas,
John Arensd rf turns, and with his revolver
shoots, Mr.. Haddock staggers and falls. Mr..
ArensdOrf and Peters stood for a moment
then run across tne bridge into the brewery,
while the other defendants scattered In all
directions.
This in brief is the theory that tie state ex-
| poets to establish.
II OPENING FOR THE DEFENSE.
George w. Argo of LeMars spoke for the
defense.
TO the indictment and the testimony as
hoped TO be established by the state, the de
PENDANT enters the plea Of not guilty. This
applies 20 each and every allegation. The de-
PENDANT, John Arensdorf, stands to-day an
innocent man, and it is inaumbent upon he
state to prove him guilty beyond "A reasonable
doubt, before under the law he can be found
guilty. Knowing from the evidence we have
IN our possession, We confidently say that the
state will utterly fail in sustaining the charges
made.
A brief biographical sketch was then given
Of the defendant.
MIR. Argo gave a sketch OF the life Of the
defendant. He is a native OF Belgium, where
two sisters now live. He has a wife and four
children. His father and mother are dead.
Said Argo: ale has "A kind and generous dis
,~,osition; has always been free with his means
In any benevolent cause" On the 3D. day of
August he was passing dow the street when
he saw an alteration between friends
o.. the saloon and the temperance
folks. He interferred in favor Of the
latter. The evidence, continued Argo,
will show that Arensdorf was not near the
scene Of the killing Of Haddock, and did
ward, and was as much surprised at it
as any one. No one thought OF accusing
Arensdorf OF being connected with the crime
until the so-called confession Of Harry Leav.
ut, When the officer went 10 arrest him,
Arcnsderf thought II was a joke. The state
expect to convict him, if convicted at all, up
on the evidence OF Witnesses undcscrving of
credit. ! refer directly 20 that Of Harry Leav-
1T. This confession was made for executive
clcmenCy, aud by perjuring himself to divert
attention from himself and lace the crime
upon an innocent man. Leavi.t is one of the
principal Witnesses of the state, and as aflida
Wits Will show he left ~Leayenworth, Kan.
for the benefit OF that city, and opened
the STANDARD theatre--a place Of vice OF
the worst character. His reputation is such
that be il entitled to no recognition as a man
or witness. The evidence will show that
Arensdorf vas not at tie corner OF Fourth
and Water whep the murder took place, nor
did he know Of any arrangements such as led
up TO the tragedy. Mr.. AreDsdorf's life since
il this city has been unstaiued. He has never
violated yhe law in the remotest degree. Dis
abuse your mind, gent emen, OF III prejudice.
and give the defendant a fair and impartial
trial and the defendant will be satisfied with
your verdict.
Court then adjourned vi til Q o'clock 10.
morrow morning. violence will not be taken
until about ii o'clock.